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Upcoming Workshops
List of upcoming in-person and virtual workshopsWorkshop Tracks
A set course of workshops based on a specific area of needOn-Demand Webinar Library
Library of past live-stream webinarsPrograms
Start Up Day
Starting a business? Learn & launch your business on Start Up Day!LEADING EDGE™ for Entrepreneurs
A 9-week business development courseLEADING EDGE™ for Childcare Providers
A 6-six week program for childcare providersLEADING EDGE™ for Transportation
A 9-week course for the highway design and construction industryEastern Plains
Consulting and training for businesses on the eastern plainsCyber: CYA
Consulting and training focusing on all aspects of cyber securitySBDC TechSource
A program focused on commercialization and cybersecurity educationConnect2DOT
Consulting and training for small businesses in the transportation industryVeterans Program
Consulting and training for veterans and their familiesSouthern Colorado Mental Health Business Partnership
Help for businesses to identify and build their resiliencyEvents
Small Business Week
April 29 - May 3, 2024Workshops and events designed to educate, celebrate and champion local small businessesSouthern Colorado Construction Forum
June 6, 2024An insider look at upcoming construction projects in the areaBusiness Summit for Childcare Providers
June 29, 2024A professional development event for home and center-based child care providers to help strengthen business practices in an ever changing landscape.Veteran's Small Business Conference
November 1, 2024The state's premier training event for veteran entrepreneurs - Small Business Resources
What is LEADING EDGE™ for Transportation?
This is a hybrid class series. Please see the full schedule below.
Have you been looking for a way to get your foot in the door and become a money-making CDOT contractor? Do you want to successfully perform on all types of government transportation contracts? The Connect2DOT LEADING EDGE™ for Transportation course is a ten-week course tailored to business owners in the highway design and construction industry. The course builds on the award-winning LEADING EDGE curriculum and was customized by industry experts to help you determine the best growth strategy for your business to successfully perform on projects with CDOT and other USDOT-funded contracts.
By the end of the course, you will have an actionable business development plan in place and a solid understanding of course topics – including strategic planning, construction and managerial accounting, prime contractor marketing, estimating and bidding, and project management. You will also receive recognition by the Colorado Transportation Commission, CDOT Project Managers, and Prime Contractors!
What To Expect
- Peer learning with a group of businesses in the transportation industry
- One-on-one coaching from course facilitators and consultants
- Nine 3-hour weekly workshops including small group exercises, guest speakers, roundtables, and graduation ceremony
- Introduction to industry mentors and opportunities to connect with prime contractors, government agencies, and other resources
- Insight and feedback on your business development plan, financials, 3-year cash flow projection, industry market analysis, competition and marketing approach
- Free registration to workshops (excluding QuickBooks) at the Pikes Peak SBDC while enrolled, valued at over $400
- To graduate, you must complete a minimum of five hours of free one-on-one consulting and submit a completed business plan and evaluation form
Program Tracks
- Chart Your Course: Refocus your mission, vision, goals, and core values.
- Show Me the Money: Understand your financial position and forecast cash flow projections for hiring, equipment acquisition, and expansion.
- Marketing Magnetism: Learn successful marketing strategies for small businesses.
- Mastering Government Contracting: Navigate certifications, target customers, bid opportunities, and the small business sweet spot for winning more contracts.
- Bidding to Win: Understand how much to charge and which tools and tricks can help you create more accurate bids (split session for A&E and construction)
- Operational Efficiency: Improve your systems and policies for HR, bonding, insurance, cybersecurity, and more.
- Meet the Primes: Get the inside scoop from CDOT, prime contractors, and local agencies on upcoming projects and how you can stand out from the crowd.
- Business Plan Reinvented: Summarize your business plan and receive 360-degree input from your coaches and peers to help refine your growth strategy.
- Graduation! Celebrate your success with family, friends, and peers and get recognized by program hosts including CDOT, CO SBDC Network, and more!
Preferred Eligibility (Others May Qualify)
- Primary line of business in highway design, construction, or other transportation-related industries
- In business 2+ years
- May have employees or may be working alone but planning to hire
- Minimum of $100,000 in annual sales
- Able to provide a balance sheet, statement of cash flow, income statement, and quarterly profit and loss statements for at least the last 2 years
- Eager to learn and committed to growing your business
- Certified DBE/ESB/MWBE/SBE companies preferred but all small businesses are eligible
Investment
$495 $200
(Thanks to a CDOT Scholarship, registration is $200! There is a 100% reimbursement upon full completion and graduation, so it could be totally FREE!
Course Location
This seminar series will be IN PERSON with the option to attend virtually. A full schedule with dates below. Graduation will be IN PERSON.
Meet the Facilitators
- Cory Arcarese, SBDC Consultant for Connect2Dot, Minority Business Office, Disaster Relief, and Child Care Providers
- Cathy Kramer, Connect2DOT Program Manager
Course Dates
Class Dates: January 19-March 23, 2023 (Thursdays, 5:30 – 8:30 PM)
All class dates are in person with the option to attend virtually.
Graduation will be in person (March 23).